Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-09-29

play. When the pageant has gone by
many hurry to catch view of it from
some other point, many return to their
homes, but it Is midnight before the
streets are cleared, and it is nearly morn
ing before quiet is restored.
Meantime the procession has wound its
way through the principal streets of the
city, completing its journey when it
reaches the southern entrance to the
Chamber of Commerce building, where
each float discharges its gayly costumed
load and is trundled Off in darkness to
the 'den," from which, but an hour be-
fore, 1t emerged in all its brilliancy.
The Characters, rs they nre assisted to
ahGht, are instructed to enter the building
and occupy the first large room to the
right of the entrance. This room has
been shut Off from the outer world and
we'll curtaiIed. Upstairs in the great
hall of the Merchants Exchange prepara-
tions are going forward for the ball given
by the Prophets every year TO their St.
Louis friends and visitors. The high gal
leries have been hung with bunting, while
on the walls behind are arranged in
graceful folds the banners of the Proph-
cts, These banners Rre Of odd design
in red and yellow stripe, with a trans
verse stripe of royal purple bearing the
Prophets seal. From the galleries depend
baskets of flowers and trailing vines; be-
tween them cages of birds whose mer-
ry notes mingle with the FLASHING Of the
fountain in the ceINer of the floor. Over this
fountain has been built bower covered
with vines and dotted with fragrant bios
SONS. A bank Of moss and ferns forms
the bowers base. Over the main en-
trance of the hall rises huge floral arch
Opposite the entrance is the rostrum on
which are seated the sixty musicians hid
den from view by q bank of cut flowers
and poisoning plants. Above their
heads hangs suspended the chariot
OF the grand oracle, with three
horses drawing it through the air
apparently at fun speed Beneath
them the letters ~. p" are outlined In
fame. Around the sides of the big hall
are arranged tiers Of seats for the benefit
OF those who wish to rest during the in
terinissions between the dances. Every
where there is a profusiou Of flowers.
This is the general plan Of decoration. 1t
Is varied each season to suit the subject
illustrated in the pageant.
Shortly after IL o'clock the grand
oracle and his attendant followers are
announced. The oracle who, from the
last float in the pageant, has showered
blessings on the crowd in the streets, il u
venerable individual with a flowing white
beard ana heavy. white eyebrows and an
unnatGrllly rnddy complexion. lie is
clad in flowing robe of satin covered
with gold embroidery aud heavily studded
with Jewels and on his head he wears n
massive crown. His attendant high
priests are clad In rich robes OF silk ard
satin. Following in his train two and
two are the characters from the tableaux
in the street pageant, all handsomely cos
tuned and securely masked The chair.
man OF The reception committee Eleets the
grand oracle at the door aud, taking his
GrlA, leads him about the hall, the center
OF which has been cleared. The long pro-
ceesion follows Presently It divides and the
two long lines coil In and out, finally meet
ing and joining into one procession again
y whistle is sounded Instantly the line
breaks and the Prophets Iningle with the
crowd, most of them seeking partners for
the first quadrille, in which none but the
Prophets and their lady partners can par